No state funeral for PW

2006-11-01 11:59

Cape Town - The death of former state president PW Botha was completely unexpected, his widow Barbara said on Wednesday.

"He was just so well," she said. "He just said to me, he's a little bit weary. We went off to the bedroom to have an early night.

"He took my arm and he just sank slowly to the ground, and drew his last breath... What grace that he was spared any suffering."

Botha died shortly after 20:00 on Tuesday night, at the couple's Wilderness home.

Mrs Botha said it felt for her as if a huge chunk had been "bitten out of South Africa" with her husband's death.

His critics would probably realise one day what the country had had in him. "He was a very misunderstood man," she said.

"I'm very blessed to have been part of his life for more than eight years. It was a privilege that God used me to look after him and be part of his life."

She said Botha's funeral service was provisionally being planned for November 8, thought this still had to be confirmed with the minister.

The ceremony was being delayed to allow for people who had to travel from overseas. He would be buried afterwards in a private ceremony at Hoekwil above Wilderness.

She said her husband had not wanted a state funeral.

"He wasn't a man who looked for honour and glory," she said.

Mrs Botha said she had been getting a stream of phone calls from people offering condolences.

- SAPA